Learning 3D Software

[marlenedegrood]

Do you think that if you really know a 3d program well, such as Lightwave, that most other 3d programs would be easy to learn? Or do you think that the interfaces play a huge role in the learning curve?

[Greggl]

Depends on what direction you're going. Lightwave and Max tend to instill a lot
of bad habits that can be difficult to lose.

Maya/SI/XSI/Houdini have a LOT in common.

[marlenedegrood]

I just thought that if you had a good understanding of polygons and modeling within the 3d environment that it would make a transition to another software program easier.......but.....maybe not.

[Greggl]

The core concepts are the same, no matter the app, but some of them have very
specific time-savers and shortcuts that aren't repeated in other apps. Those can
work as a crutch. There are also some 'mindset' differences. Lightwave splits
modeling to a seperate application from animation, lighting and texturing. Max
has some oddities with its nurbs. Its also a plug-in heavy app.

It all depends what you want to do in the long run though. If its about producing
elements for your own work, anything will do... if you're at all thinking about a
career in vfx or games, the decision is pretty much made for you... you learn the
market leaders that have the most want ads :)

[surf]

well the base core is very similar. ie. if you learn lighting a scene in 3D, you won't have to learn it again.

[mcgeedigital]

I found LW MUCH easier to learn that Max.

[Curtis_Rhoads]

Max has some oddities with its nurbs. Its also a plug-in heavy app.

Talk about plugin heavy... the core of Max is just a hub that everything else plugs into. So, basically, Max is one giant plugin hub! :)



It all depends what you want to do in the long run though. If its about producing elements for your own work, anything will do... if you're at all thinking about a career in vfx or games, the decision is pretty much made for you... you learn the market leaders that have the most want ads :)

Getting a career in VFX or games doesn't mean that you have to learn the app they use to get in the door. I've got quite a few friends working for ILM, Digital Domain, etc. and they all started using Animation:Master. Most of the VFX/games companies end up training you to some extent on the software they use. Usually because at some point there's proprietary software involved.

[Greggl]

Hehe.. Animation Master is one of the apps that *doesn't* instill
some of those bad habits :) BTW, those 'training' days are pretty
much over. You'll only get that retooling if you're already in the
door and are going onto a project thats using a tool you're not
familar with OR you were hired on a reel that was so strong, they
both have the luxury of time to get you up to speed on a new
app and the money. Even that is getting rare though.

[surf]

hmm interesting

[Taylor Moore]

Also remember there are personal learning editions of Maya and SoftImage...
better to learn the more pro tools first.

[surf]

that is right! and PLE is free

[Matt Grunau]

Do you think that if you really know a 3d program well, such as Lightwave, that most other 3d programs would be easy to learn? Or do you think that the interfaces play a huge role in the learning curve?


Yes. 3D programs all have many similarities, just different interfaces, and names for tools. If you understand the basics about modeling and animation, you are more than halfway there. Each program has different ways to get things done, some are mosre advanced and complicated in certain areas (Maya's rigging system over Ligtwave's as an example), but a cube is a cube, with six four sided polys, with points that hold them, and edges that join them. Learning basic modeling techniques for each gets you the groudwork.

A spline is a spline is a spline, so to speak.



Iv'e read that people that know Lightwave will transition to Softimage easier, and people that know Max will transition to Maya easier, because each interface and workflow is similar to the later, respectively.

[rezn]

if the goal is to get a job somewhere then focus on an area of 3D that interests you...character setup, rendering, modeling etc. and get really good at it. Most big houses break up the work so you are doing mainly what you do best.

[mediamogul]

I've been learning Cinema 4D and love it! I find it much easier to use than say Maya. Also Lynda.com has a great training program for it.

[Anhar Miah]

What I've found in my humble view is that all 3d apps in the end are the same (more or less) and once you get to the "Zen Master Modelling" level is when you start to look at everyday objects (and people) and think Hmm I wonder how that would be meshed, yea I'd start box modelling that butt from the left cheek :)

Thats when you know that your a 3d guy(or gal)


So just model away man (in what ever app, just model), start of with simple stuff like say an apple, then go onto stuff like furniture, then interior of houses, then houses, then do cars, then people(cuz they are the hardest, organic models is the real art)

3d is just another art medium, apps are but mere tools, hone your skills thats the real power.

Anhar

[im.thatoneguy]

Learn to draw and sculpt. Save yourself years of trouble trying to use the least intuitive interface ever developed by man (a 3d application).

I could probably teach someone how to model in about 3 days. It's knowing what to do with all those polygons that's the real trick, and it's a real bitch to learn on the computer. Besides you already know how to use the sketching interface, you've used pens and pencils all your life, you're a pro!

Think about it for a second. With any 3d app you're usually looking at a 2d display trying to give you an aproximation of a 3d object which you can only interact with using a another 2d plane which is actually perpendicular to the window. It's like trying to give directions over the phone to someone to paint a painting using chopsticks through a small hole in their floor.